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Weed barriers prevent root penetration, but the problem which develops (over time) is on top.  Sediment (air or water borne) will settle in the gravel and produce a medium for shallow rooted plants–especially when adequate water is present.   Finer weed cloths will also tend to clog with the sediment and make the situation worse.  
The best thin…[Read more]

Jason: I will rely on you to be our correspondent on the ground regarding the AEC industry and the AIA billing index. There is ample and anecdotal evidence (recent and not so recent) articles that many of those people who have exited the construction trades are among the thousands who have made the economic exodus to North Dakota and the rest of…[Read more]

i use both os systems, i use my Mac for all of the design suite and some sketchup and my desktop pc for modeling and CAD. but when it comes to CAD for Mac the interface is somewhat confusing and uncomfortable to use. some things dont seem to work as well as the pc version. it is nice though being able to switch between both platforms and knowing…[Read more]

Biobarrier will keep the roots of larger plants from intruding an adjacent space.  I don’t know this will work how you envision.
Maintenance is something that everybody must accept.
Weeds grow where ever they can put a root down: cracks in concrete, asphalt, between brick, gravel, dg, etc.  I’ve seen tree seeds sprout in roof gutters.  I’ve seen…[Read more]

go read the questions and responses about mac and autocad and other cad software: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/forum.php

Right on Dennis, thank you. I don’t quite have that level of experience, though I have performed project manager duties and ready to take on the role. Thanks again this has been very helpful.

good point on bad v good cad work, I’ll get on adding that. As far as the other types of projects, again, It’s work done for firms and they own the work, I just don’t feel it appropriate to include it amongst work that I’ve personally designed and own. Maybe I’m being too proud?

There are a few schools of thought on this, but I would strongly consider de-personalizing your portfolio. No personal photo, nothing about coffee or cycling. Just the work. And perhaps larger images. If you race with your bike, that would be mentioned somewhere on the resume in just a short line, but don’t include hobbies. Keep it all business.…[Read more]

I have to agree with some of Roland’s comments. As a person in the role of hiring landscape designers in our office, it would appear that your portfolio and resume’ is light on content. Especially, if as you state in your cover letter, you are applying for a position of Project Manager. What you are showing in your resume and work examples are not…[Read more]

I see what you’re saying, and I wonder what actual employers would say to that. I guess what I’m saying is that your portfolio doesn’t show the full range of your capabilities. Employers know what sketchup looks like, too. But they also know the difference between good sketchup work and bad sketchup work. The same goes for CAD, and so, if you’re…[Read more]

Thanks Roland, my thoughts are that employers know what CAD looks like? most, if not all, of my CAD work has been for firms and I’m not about to use their work on my portfolio, thoughts on this? I have one project that was built and one in construction, just waiting on pics to add.

I really want to do that now. ha, yeah, been working on a clean cut pic. I use the helmet pic to show some personality, something a bit different that may stand out. Thanks Trace One!

I’m no expert, since I’ve redone my portfolio four or five times with no positive results, but:
-Where’s the CAD work, Pablo? Great hand graphics and sketchup, though.
-Were any of your projects built? If so, include pictures of the finished product.
-Is all the work in your portfolio residential? You mention you did other types of projects in you…[Read more]

Much of the computer programs and graphic techniques that I learned in school where on my own, but were inspired by a class project. I think that is the norm for a University Design Education. You are generally taught the abstract theory behind design and then are expected to apply these things to your projects. Most Autocad classes do not teach…[Read more]

The unemployment number is slightly lower for the building sector, but that is because people are leaving the AEC industry in droves.
 
http://www.architectmagazine.com/construction/june-2012-construction-jobs.aspx?cid=ANW:070912:FULL

You could probably get an Ecological Engineering degree in about the same time it takes to earn an MLA.  That might be a little more valuable in the current job market.  Just an idea…

The French just elected an anti-austerity leader. I am hoping that the US will also see that trickle down economics, cutting taxes on the rich, does not work, and reverse the course we have been on for twenty years and start to re-invest in our society. That would change your calculator button.

Check out Hong Kong Park, it can be a bit naf and dated but it is a well used much loved park. There is an interesting dynamic at different edges of the park with some major roadways cutting it off from the surrounding buildings while other parts are more integrated into the pedestrian system.
Kowloon Park warrants a visit. 
The Expo Promenade in…[Read more]

Your description brought back some memories and feelings that I had my first year in OSU’s BSLA program “way back when”. I had very little artistic, technical or horticultural background and after a single, non-intensive “Intro to LA” course the previous spring, I was thrown into the curriculum in a way similar your current experience. There was…[Read more]

Yes, the standard is 3″ of mulch. If you’re looking to discourage people from cutting through, maybe ring the bed/planter with Russian Sage to create a barrier and use stone mulch (I imagine it would be hard to push a shopping cart through 3-4″ river stone).